Light The Blue Touch Paper

[HomerJSimpson]

Having posted about the miracle that is the G25, I am having still hankering after Callaway and the X-Hot Pro model in particular. I know I didn't hit it great in the test the other day, hence the switch to the G25 but it suits my eye much better and to be honest I really don't like the Ping at address

I have booked myself a testing session with at a Cally dealer and with a wider set of shafts than my pro had. I know, I know. I just want to be absolutely certain in my mind before I go ahead and order the Ping that I have explored all the options as far as the Callaway go.

Now I know what the majority will say about just going with what the pro fitted, especially as he knows my game. I 100% agree but I don't want to part with the money or go back to be fitted for the woods with my pro, still having doubts. I did hit the G25 well and the stats don't lie but I think a better shaft for my swing with the X-Hot pro would change the numbers. I even hit the demo model at the club again tonight and despite the Project X 5.5 which feels too heavy for me I still got the club on the ball and a lighter more responsive shaft should make a huge difference.

At the end of the day, I'm not paying the £25 fitting fee so it's a free session and so I feel I've nothing to lose and of I can't hit them well the G25 are still in reserve. I am only interested in the X-Hot pro as it is the only one I think suits my game. The X forged is too unforgiving on mis-hits and the standard X-hot is too chunky and Ping looking.

Retiring to a safe distance.

 

[pbrown7582]

Fair play too you it's a major move to invest in new irons alone let alone adding in woods hybrids bags and wardrobe!!! :lol:
So it makes total sense to me to be completely convinced about your choice from a results and visual perspective. It's find having a free fitting and you also get peace of mind so it's a win win! Have fun.

 

[DCB]

Don't worry Homer I've got a fire extinguisher in the garage, I'll look it out

Maybe time for a change from TM to something else anyway

 

[Iaing]

If you're not 100% convinced about the 'miracle' Pings then you're doing the right thing. Aesthetics are important up to a point.
Be aware though that you may never be able to find the holy grail of aesthetics and functionality.
I'd take functionality every time!

 

[Hobbit]

You're doing the right thing. I got the full all singing custom jobbie a year gone May and had an horrendous year. Changed for something on E-bay that just suited my eye better... and a great 8mths followed.

The first candy shop you visit isn't always the best.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Thought you'd already ordered the pings??
It is a lot of money so definitely worth testing all possibilities. Just get the feeling that you weren't happy that the G25's came out best for you rather than a better player iron.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Thought you'd already ordered the pings??
It is a lot of money so definitely worth testing all possibilities. Just get the feeling that you weren't happy that the G25's came out best for you rather than a better player iron.

I thought the same

Surely its " substance over style" with regards to New clubs?

 

[Foxholer]

:rofl:

'Vanity thy name is Homer' - to misquote the misquote of the Bard!

I wouldn't be surprised if you are currently playing 'vanity' irons. No problem with that (I may be, but haven't decided yet and it's not really important to me anyway as lowering my handicap isn't my main goal) but if you are determined to lower your handicap, then you should stop playing the irons you would like to play and start playing the ones that actually help your game.

The only proper way is to have an independent shootout (with Pro or independent fitter) and see which combo of head and shaft works best. I'd be willing to bet that it's the Pings.

Oh and a fitting at Orka really would be worth considering imo!

 

[Pin-seeker]

Not sure this much fuss was made when the little Irish kid with big hair switched to Nike

 

[Ethan]

If you are unsure about a prospective purchase, then don't go ahead. Think about a bit more and try the clubs again.

I recently got a set of X Hot Pros with C-taper shafts in Stiff, and they have a lot going for them. They certainly are long. The ball really shoots off the clubface, and I have been through quite a few greens recently.

The short irons go far too, so be careful of the gaps between them and your wedges. You will probably need a 50 degree wedge. I find the short irons a bit clunky looking, and a bit too much offset for my eye. They also have a lot of bounce, so if you like a sharp leading edge and low bounce, not so great.

The C-taper shafts are interesting. By right they are a bit too stiff for me (100mph driver, 85mph 6 iron), but I get them flighted well, and far, and they feel nice and tight, no danger of feeling loose.

If HJS is heading down to Chessington for a fitting, that will be fun. One option is to go for a hybrid set, X utility 3 iron, 4-7 X Hot Pro and 8-W X forged. Best of all worlds.

 

[sev112]

Sounds great fun
All I can add was how astonished I was with dispersion when I was fitted for the g20s two years ago. Would never have considered pings before that but I still am convinced
I was in the garden yesterday having a few practice swings with my old mizunos and hogans. Brought back some nice memories
But, I still cannot replicate the consistency of these, particularly on mi*****

Good luck -enjoy all the attention from the fitters and pros

 

[sev112]

, particularly on mi*****
)

I just love the software that prevents us typing the word m I s h I t s ...

 

[Imurg]

Contrary to popular belief, looks are important.
I may have irons that I can hit 180 yards with less than 5 ft dispersion but if I don't like the way they look then I'm not going to like playing with them.
If I look down on a club and think "Oh Jeez that's Pig-Ugly" what thoughts can get past that?
They also have to feel right.
If you don't feel that you should be playing Pings then that thought is always going to be there.

I'll always say, find a set you feel comfortable with, both in terms of looks and performance.
Because if you feel happy with the look, the performance is usually not far behind.

 

[Foxholer]

Contrary to popular belief, looks are important.
I may have irons that I can hit 180 yards with less than 5 ft dispersion but if I don't like the way they look then I'm not going to like playing with them.
If I look down on a club and think "Oh Jeez that's Pig-Ugly" what thoughts can get past that?
They also have to feel right.
If you don't feel that you should be playing Pings then that thought is always going to be there.

I'll always say, find a set you feel comfortable with, both in terms of looks and performance.
Because if you feel happy with the look, the performance is usually not far behind.

I agree up to a point. Having looked down at G10s and thought 'pig ugly', the ease of use and extra length did mean that I could smile and think - so what, the results are what really counts. And the G25s are way more elegant than the G10s.

If it was that important to me, I'd use the irons that work best rather than the ones I enjoy playing with most. I'm happy to admit my slight vanity and the resultant performance compromise, but I think Homer still more concerned with image than results.

The X-Hot Pros might compete with the G25s that have already seen off other, more forgiving, Cally offerings so I doubt it. However, given Homer's apparent penchant for 'style over substance' and the (unjustified imo) negativity about Ping on here,, it could be some time before a decision is actually made!

 

[pendodave]

Can't help thinking that a slight miss-strike going into the middle of the green would convince me to like the look of almost anything. However, callaways are pretty forgiving as a brand (always feature high up on maltby index) so probably not a huge difference in playability. Might depend on what hjs most common miss is.

Re. Vanity, I would be more concerned about the need to have a stiff shaft. Given fairly average distance stats I would have thought that little extra zip through the ball would be a good thing. It's all very well hitting a stiff on the range in the summer when you're nice and warmed up, quite another thing early on a march morning when its 6 degrees and you're feeling a bit stiff!

 

[Chris1980]

I too am close to ur position homer. I demo'd the cally pro's along with 825 pro's and i20's. i went up with g25's in mind but i think they look hideous at address. Im arranging my 1st ever custom fitting for next week to buy 1 of the 3 above and already are torn as i hit them all well with the demo albeit with different shafts. The i20's were so easy to hit and i feel will help my game immensely where i think the mizzies and cally's look great. My only concern is the cally's are meant to be longer in length in club but absolutely flew off the clubface. Will see how my fitting goes. Nice position to be in though! 😀

 

[Foxholer]

Re. Vanity, I would be more concerned about the need to have a stiff shaft. Given fairly average distance stats I would have thought that little extra zip through the ball would be a good thing. It's all very well hitting a stiff on the range in the summer when you're nice and warmed up, quite another thing early on a march morning when its 6 degrees and you're feeling a bit stiff!

Now here is where I have no problem admitting my failings!

Heavy, stiff shafts normalise my inconsistent swing! Tried some light, more flexible shafts and I didn't have a clue where the ball was going! Shame as the heads were rather nice (Miura TM CBs) but it was not worth the cost and hassle of changing shafts.

 

[richart]

I have a feeling this is going to run and run and run and .......

 

[USER1999]

I'm not convinced the g25s are aimed at a single figure golfer. However, they may get you there.

Not convinced by the x hot pros either, although they are aimed more at this group of players.

Given a choice between the two, I'd keep my nikes!

 

[Pin-seeker]

I have a feeling this is going to run and run and run and .......

Seen as the Pings were on order a few days ago & now they're not i think u might be right.